REVIEW British set up the British Military Administration Penang and Malacca joined the Malayan Union while Singapore remained as a separate.

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Presentation on theme: "REVIEW British set up the British Military Administration Penang and Malacca joined the Malayan Union while Singapore remained as a separate."— Presentation transcript:

1 Chapter 10: How did Singapore Tackle its Challenges in its Early Years of Independence?

2 REVIEWBritish set up the British Military AdministrationPenang and Malacca joined the Malayan Union while Singapore remained as a separate Crown ColonyFederation of Malaya was formed. Singapore was left out. Why?The federation and Singapore had different economiesSingapore had a large Chinese population which threatened the basic rights of the MalaysSingapore was an important naval base to the BritishThe British had no intention to give up control over Singapore but they also knew that the people would not be contented. Hence they decided to allow the people to be involved in the first elections

3 Gradual Progress Towards Self-Government1948 ElectionSPP won 3 out of 6 seats. The rest were won by independents.Rendel Commission, Jul 1953Recommended limited self-government.- Housing, Education, Health, Trade and IndustryLF won 10 out of 25 seats. Formed coalition government. David Marshall became the first Chief Minister. Faced challenges such as Hock Lee Bus Riots.1955 Elections

5 Gradual Progress Towards Self-Government1963 Merger with Malaya,Sabah and SarawakFormed the Federation of Malaysia. Singapore held its first State Election in Participated by SUMNO. SUMNO failed to garner support.First Federal Election held in KL. Singapore won 1 seat.Concept of Malaysian Malaysia introduced and angered the Malaysian Federal government. Racial Riots occurred in Singapore.19641965Singapore separated from Malaysia and became a sovereign independent nation.

6 Learning ObjectivesChallenges faced by Singapore in its early years of independenceStrategies adopted in response to these challengesEffectiveness of these strategies in preparing Singapore for the future

7 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependenceEconomic UncertaintiesLack of raw materialsLimited land spaceLoss of Malaysia as a potential hinterland market- Weak industry base- Fall in tradeGrowing populationNeed to create jobs for the people

8 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependencePolitical UncertaintiesAnnouncement of the withdrawal of British military forces by the end of 1971Need to build up its own defence to protect the nation from both internal and external threats

9 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependenceEconomic Challenges & StrategiesChallengesLack of natural resources such as rubber, palm oil and minerals like tin and goldLack of diversity in the economy due to dependence on entrepot tradeHigh UnemploymentStrategies – Two-prongedIncentives to MNCs from Japan, Western Europe and the USA to set up factories in S’poreTransformed S’pore into a more organised and efficient country- High standards of public service

10 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependenceEconomic Challenges & StrategiesDr Albert Winsemius, a Dutch economist- Export-led industrialisationto develop faster and stay ahead of other countriesrecommended in response to loss of potential hinterland market and aptitude of its people to work in manufacturing industriesgovernment would provide key infrastructure (efficient port, good communication and transport system, sound banking and financial system; p. 203)Positioned as low cost manfacturing export centre

11 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependenceEconomic Challenges & StrategiesDr Albert Winsemius, a Dutch economist- Export-led industrialisationSetting up of Economic Development Board (EDB) in Aug 1961 to drive development of new and existing industries (eg. Setting up of Jurong Industrial Estate, JIE)Success: By 1968, almost 300 factories providing jobs for 21,000 people were set up1968, Jurong Town Corporation (JTC) was formed to take over the management of JIE and other industrial estates in Kallang Basin, Sims Avenue and Redhill)

12 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependenceImpact on the PresentBy 1985, S’pore developed into a modern city-stateHad a diversified economy and global trade network

13 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependenceSocial Challenges & StrategiesChallenges in HousingSingapore Improvement Trust (SIT) set up in 1927 failed to solve housing problemsEstimated half a million people lived in slums and squatter settlements by 1959Living conditions were cramped and unhygienic – spread of diseases as well as fire hazards (Bukit Ho Swee fire in May 1961)StrategiesHousing and Development Board (HDB) set up in 1960 to replace SIT

15 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependenceSocial Challenges & StrategiesHousing and Development BoardImplemented three five-year plans to build flats quickly and economically2nd 5-yr PlanFocused on quality of housing programme (designs, open spaces, landscaping, car parks, point blocks)

16 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependenceSocial Challenges & StrategiesHousing and Development BoardMr Lim Kim San, first HDB chiefImplemented three five-year plans to build flats quickly and economically3rd 5-yr PlanFocused on catering to needs of middle-income households who wanted bigger flats but could not afford private housing (eg. HUDC)

17 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependenceImpact on the PresentS’pore became a home-owning societyFostered social stabilityGave citizens a stake in the country and its futurePromoted a sense of national pride and identity among S’poreans

18 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependenceSocial Challenges & StrategiesChallenges in EducationMeans to support S’pore’s economic developmentNeed to get people of different races to interactColonial rule saw education largely left to the different ethnic and religious organisationsQuality of education variedStrategiesCommon medium of instructionDaily flag-raising and pledge taking ceremoniesCivics Education and ECA

19 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependenceSocial Challenges & StrategiesEducational Reforms1st 5-yr PlanFocused on increasing level of literacy of peopleLarge scale recruitment of teachers and teachers-in-trainingIntroduction of compulsory bilingual policy in 1960 for primary schools and 1966 for secondary schoolsStudents were also equipped with relevant technical skills, in addition to the basic skills of reading and writing

20 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependenceImpact on the PresentShaped social relations among different racesEquipped workforce with technical skillsStudents equipped with EL (working language) and mother tongue (roots to culture and race)

21 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependencePolitical Challenges & StrategiesChallengesStrong defence was critical in ensuring peace and stability which would in turn draw foreign investors to S’poreConstraints of limited manpower and fundsStrategiesEstablishment of Ministry of Interior and Defence

22 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependencePolitical Challenges & StrategiesMinistry of Interior and Defence (MID)Dr Goh Keng SweeIntroduced National Service. Passed NS Amendment Bill on 14 March 1967S’porean male citizens aged 18 would enroll for NSAfter NS, they would become reservists or Operationally Ready NSmenSingapore Armed Forces Training Institute (SAFTI) set up in June 1966 to provide military trainingMeasures to overcome opposition put in place

23 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependencePolitical Challenges & StrategiesMinistry of Interior and Defence (MID)Dr Goh Keng SweeSteps taken to set up Navy and Air ForceBilateral training introducedFive Power Defence Agreement signed with Britain, Australia, NZ and Malaysia – assistance in times of attacks

24 Challenges faced by Singapore in its early years of IndependenceImpact on the PresentReady pool of combat trained male citizensForged closer bonds among people of different races and religious background